The original NBC version was a live broadcast, relying heavily on Winchell's ventriloquism with Jerry Mahoney and his comedic interactions with the studio audience. It also incorporated simple skits and musical numbers.

The CBS version featured a more refined format with pre-produced segments and elaborate musical numbers. It showcased Winchell's singing and dancing abilities alongside his ventriloquism. There was a greater emphasis on storytelling.

The syndicated version often consisted of reruns and repackaged segments from previous shows. Production values were generally lower due to budgetary constraints.

"Winchell-Mahoney Time" attempted to modernize the show by incorporating educational segments and addressing contemporary issues. While still relying on Winchell's core ventriloquism act, it aimed to provide more substance for young viewers.